Rebel Óg minor football semi-final ends in penalty drama

Ballincollig: 1-15 

St Finbarr’s: 0-18 

(Ballincollig win 4-1 on penalties) 

After an outstanding game of football that had pretty much everything, Ballincollig have booked their spot in the final of the Rebel Óg Premier 1 MFC after defeating St Finbarr’s in a penalty shootout at Caherlag on Tuesday night.

The Village will meet either Bishopstown or Mallow in the decider with that other semi-final tie taking place on Wednesday.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable contest for the closeness of it between two very evenly matched teams and it was evident from early on that extra time could well be on the cards. There was no separating the teams in extra time, with Ballincollig holding their nerve in the penalty shootout as their bid to end a 13-year wait to lift the trophy at this grade remains alive and well.

Ballincollig won 4-1 on penalties as they converted all of their penalties with David O’Leary, Danny Miskella, George Howard and Jack Murray all scoring. Ballincollig sub-keeper Matthew Murray stood between the posts for the penalties, having been introduced for the injured Caolán Lordan-Walsh late in the first half. Ballincollig looked dead and buried twice, in normal time and extra time but showed character and dug deep to reel in the Barrs.

The game that started at 8.30pm didn't finish until 10.34pm with the rain lashing down. Ballincollig danced for joy while St Finbarr's dropped to their knees, heartbreak for them. 

It was a very patient start with both sides sussing each other out. The first scoring chance was a goal chance after four minutes coming the way of Ballincollig. George Howard set up Danny Miskella but his effort was excellently saved by St Finbarr’s goalkeeper Jack O’Leary, with the ball going out for a 45.

Collig captain David O’Leary drilled it straight over the bar but St Finbarr’s, who were beaten by Douglas in the final last year, despite having less possession were much more purposeful going forward in the early stages and points from Rickey Barrett and Cian O’Sullivan nudged the city side ahead.

The game started to liven up as the teams traded white flags before Ballincollig’s Shane Rue O’Sullivan levelled proceedings, 0-3 each after 20 minutes. A Miskella free had his side noses in front in what was a tense encounter with so much on the line.

St Finbarr’s hit the post twice in a matter of seconds after 29 minutes through Barrett and Conor O’Donoghue. A let off for Ballincollig. Kevin Kelleher’s side drew level on the stroke of the half-time whistle when James Murray bisected the posts, 0-4 apiece at the break.

A pair of Miskella points gave the Village a two-point lead three minutes into the new half, but just as they were getting on top, St Finbarr’s goaled after 36 minutes when O’Sullivan finished low into the corner of the net, 1-4 to 0-6.

Miskella and Kevin O’Leary pointed which was the perfect response for Ballincollig to nudge in front again, but O’Sullivan and McCarthy replied with points for the Barrs, 1-6 to 0-8 after 40 minutes.

A boomer of an effort from the hard-working Howard drew his side level as the game was now on a knife edge. The sides traded white flags, 1-7 to 0-10, as we went into the final 10 minutes with everything to play for.

St Finbarr’s hit two of the next three points, with Conor McCarthy’s effort the pick of the bunch as they led 1-9 to 0-11 with seven minutes remaining. O’Sullivan, despite being at an impossible angle, somehow put the ball over the bar, an inspirational score as the Togher club pushed two points clear.

Collig sub Jack Murray left a point in it with a minute remaining as you cut the tension with a knife. An incredible effort from the outside of the boot from defender Ethan Donovan drew the Muskerry side level a minute into added time. There would be no winner as the game went into extra time.

St Finbarr’s found another gear as they hit four unanswered points in the first four minutes of extra time. The excellent Barrett with two of those. Cian Ahern kicked a much needed score from a free for Con O'Connell's outfit to leave a goal in it, 1-14 to 0-14.

The Collig would land two of the next three to leave two between the sides at the quick break, 1-15 to 0-16.

A Cillian Power fisted effort brought the Village to within a point. Scores were at a premium before that man Donovan drew his side level with a minute to go. Outside of the boot again. The game then went to a penalty shootout.

It was tense with Ballincollig prevailing. What a game. 

Scorers for Ballincollig: D Miskella 0-4 (0-1 f), C Ahern 0-3 (0-1 f), D O’Leary (0-1 45), E Donovan, C Power 0-2 each, K O’Leary, G Howard, C O’Connor, J Murray, S Rue O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

St Finbarr’s: C O’Sullivan 1-4, R Barrett 0-4, J Murray, C McCarthy 0-2 each, T Howe, C O’Donoghue, M Hetherington 0-1 each.

BALLINCOLLIG: C Lordan-Walsh; D Lee, P Rose, E Donovan; C Power, T Morgan, C O’Connor; K O’Leary, G Howard; D O’Leary (c), C Ahern, C Summers; D Miskella, C Murphy, S Rue O’Sullivan.

Subs: M Murray for C Lordan-Walsh (26, inj), J Murray for C Summers (39), A Hurley for C Murphy (47), P McCarthy for K O’Leary (67, inj).

ST FINBARR’S: J O’Leary; E Hurley, D O’Kelly, D Burke; T Howe, M Ahern (c), N Crowley; T Egan, D O’Keeffe; S Kirby, R Barrett, C O’Donoghue; C McCarthy, J Murray, C O’Sullivan.

Subs: M Hetherington for S Kirby (h-t), J Brady for D O’Keeffe (45), E Malone for J Murray (59), S Kirby for C O’Donoghue (70), C O’Donoghue for C McCarthy (73, inj).

Referee: James Regan (Lough Rovers).